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Hurricane Matthew Nears U.S., and States Brace for Impact Florida’s Governor Urges: ‘You Need to Leave’
(35 minutes later)
Hurricane Matthew intensified Thursday morning into a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 140 miles per hour and strengthening.
Find developments; dispatches from our reporters in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina; a live storm tracker map; and answers to reader questions below.
• The center of the hurricane is about 180 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., moving northwest at 14 m.p.h. over the Bahamas.
• Gov. Rick Scott of Florida told the 1.5 million residents in evacuation zones: “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”• Gov. Rick Scott of Florida told the 1.5 million residents in evacuation zones: “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”
• The storm intensified Thursday morning into a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 140 m.p.h. • A hurricane warning is in effect from northern Miami-Dade County, Fla., to the Altamaha Sound, between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga.
• The hurricane’s center is about 180 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., moving northwest at 14 miles an hour over the Bahamas.
• A hurricane warning is in effect from northern Miami-Dade County, Fla., to the Altamaha Sound, between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. A hurricane watch runs from Altamaha Sound to the South Santee River in South Carolina, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
• New York Times journalists covering the storm include Lizette Alvarez in Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Azam Ahmed and Nick Madigan in Miami; Frances Robles in Titusville, Fla.; Les Neuhaus in Jacksonville, Fla.; Alan Blinder in Atlanta; and Richard Fausset and Jess Bidgood in Charleston, S.C.• New York Times journalists covering the storm include Lizette Alvarez in Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Azam Ahmed and Nick Madigan in Miami; Frances Robles in Titusville, Fla.; Les Neuhaus in Jacksonville, Fla.; Alan Blinder in Atlanta; and Richard Fausset and Jess Bidgood in Charleston, S.C.
Florida’s governor pleaded with people on Thursday to evacuate from the state’s east coast as Hurricane Matthew threatened to roar past as a Category 4 storm.Florida’s governor pleaded with people on Thursday to evacuate from the state’s east coast as Hurricane Matthew threatened to roar past as a Category 4 storm.
“There are no excuses,” Mr. Scott said in Tallahassee, the state capital. “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”“There are no excuses,” Mr. Scott said in Tallahassee, the state capital. “You need to leave. Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate.”
Mr. Scott, who has spent days warning that the storm could be catastrophic in a state that has not had a major hurricane make landfall since 2005, added: “This storm will kill you. Time is running out.”Mr. Scott, who has spent days warning that the storm could be catastrophic in a state that has not had a major hurricane make landfall since 2005, added: “This storm will kill you. Time is running out.”
In the hours before Mr. Scott appeared in Tallahassee, the forecast for Florida seemed to grow grimmer, and evacuations were underway all along the state’s eastern coast. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 m.p.h. are expected to begin lashing the state by late Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, with hurricane-force winds arriving by sometime Thursday night.In the hours before Mr. Scott appeared in Tallahassee, the forecast for Florida seemed to grow grimmer, and evacuations were underway all along the state’s eastern coast. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 m.p.h. are expected to begin lashing the state by late Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center said, with hurricane-force winds arriving by sometime Thursday night.
The governor’s office said that more than 1.5 million people were in evacuation zones, and that tolls had been suspended on the Florida Turnpike and other crucial routes. Officials planned to open more than 100 shelters statewide, and 2,500 National Guard soldiers had been activated. The Coast Guard closed major ports, including facilities in Fort Pierce, Miami and Palm Beach. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ and ALAN BLINDERThe governor’s office said that more than 1.5 million people were in evacuation zones, and that tolls had been suspended on the Florida Turnpike and other crucial routes. Officials planned to open more than 100 shelters statewide, and 2,500 National Guard soldiers had been activated. The Coast Guard closed major ports, including facilities in Fort Pierce, Miami and Palm Beach. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ and ALAN BLINDER
In Port St. Lucie, Fla., a golfer’s paradise and the home of spring training for the New York Mets, Hurricane Matthew seemed more a nuisance than a threat early Thursday. The storm was still plowing through the Bahamas, so far away that people in Port St. Lucie, just a few miles from the coast, occupied their time with last-minute preparation and by playing a guessing game. The impact of the storm is being felt on the presidential campaign, too. A joint appearance by Hillary Clinton and President Obama planned for Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Fla., was postponed. The Trump campaign was also affected: The Miami Herald reported that Ivanka Trump scrapped a fund-raiser Wednesday night at Trump National Doral golf resort.
Will the storm stay a Category 3, or will it strengthen into a more monstrous Category 4? How high will the storm surge be? Will this area bear the brunt, or will Vero Beach or Fort Pierce? Will barrier beach communities have any beaches left? The hurricane could steal attention away from the campaign if it causes extensive damage. The Clinton campaign was preparing for that possibility, investing in advertising on the Weather Channel in markets across Florida, according to Politico. — ALAN RAPPEPORT
Rick Dixon, who moved to Florida from Ohio 25 years ago, chuckled at the growing panic around him as he left a Publix grocery store, holding a bag with yogurt, corn and a few other nonessential items. Emergency managers trying to get residents to leave an area in the path of a storm can be like parents cajoling their children to do something. Governor Scott of Florida, for example, urged: “This storm will kill you. Time is running out.” — CHRISTOPHER MELE
“I’ve got Doritos,” said Mr. Dixon, 71. “I’m good.” Read more»
Mr. Dixon said he was so confident nothing major would come of the storm he did little to secure his house. Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, urged people in the path of Hurricane Matthew to take precautions. “We strongly encourage people who live in the areas that are likely to be affected to heed the warnings and instructions of local officials, including evacuation orders,” Mr. Earnest said. Anyone who doubts the power of the storm, he said, should look at photographs of the extensive damage wrought in Haiti. – GARDINER HARRIS
His neighbor, on the other hand, a hurricane novice from New York, was taking things a lot more seriously. Mr. Dixon said she asked him whether it was smart to cut out her screens as she had heard somebody suggest. He laughed. — LIZETTE ALVAREZ
People near Georgia’s 100 miles of coastline, wedged between a state bracing for its first major hurricane in more than a decade and another that began mass evacuations on Wednesday, prepared on Thursday for a rare brush with a tropical cyclone.
The authorities recommended voluntary evacuations in parts of the six counties that face the Atlantic. Gov. Nathan Deal declared emergencies there and in 24 inland counties.
“I urge Georgians in the affected areas to remain calm, be prepared and make informed, responsible decisions as we continue to monitor Hurricane Matthew’s path,” Mr. Deal said in a statement.
Forecasts suggest that Georgia will maintain its 37-year streak of not having a hurricane make landfall from the Atlantic, but officials said that even a small change in the storm’s path could substantially increase the risks to the state. No major hurricane — defined as a Category 3 storm or greater — has directly struck Georgia since 1898, the state said.
By Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center had placed the entire Georgia coast under a hurricane warning or watch.
— ALAN BLINDER
On Thursday morning, the ghosts in the lovely old city of Charleston had ample room. The streets of the historic district were largely devoid of human life in the pre-dawn darkness. A hard wind whipped through the palms.On Thursday morning, the ghosts in the lovely old city of Charleston had ample room. The streets of the historic district were largely devoid of human life in the pre-dawn darkness. A hard wind whipped through the palms.
Charleston’s evacuation began around 3 p.m. Wednesday, as officials, bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, reversed the highway lanes out of town. Other areas of the South Carolina coast will be evacuated on Thursday morning, Gov. Nikki R. Haley said.Charleston’s evacuation began around 3 p.m. Wednesday, as officials, bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, reversed the highway lanes out of town. Other areas of the South Carolina coast will be evacuated on Thursday morning, Gov. Nikki R. Haley said.
Ms. Haley said Thursday that about 175,000 people had evacuated, but she quickly added: “That’s not enough.” About 2,000 National Guard soldiers were assisting in preparation efforts.Ms. Haley said Thursday that about 175,000 people had evacuated, but she quickly added: “That’s not enough.” About 2,000 National Guard soldiers were assisting in preparation efforts.
Charleston, South Carolina’s second-largest city, has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance. The metro area’s population is booming. New luxury hotels have bloomed among elegant downtown buildings, and new technology industries have attracted a young and prosperous work force.Charleston, South Carolina’s second-largest city, has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance. The metro area’s population is booming. New luxury hotels have bloomed among elegant downtown buildings, and new technology industries have attracted a young and prosperous work force.
But none of that success has made low-lying Charleston any less vulnerable to the ravages of a powerful storm. Many here remember how badly the city was pummeled by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In October, historic rainfall resulted in flash flooding.But none of that success has made low-lying Charleston any less vulnerable to the ravages of a powerful storm. Many here remember how badly the city was pummeled by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In October, historic rainfall resulted in flash flooding.
So what to do? Before closing its offices this week, the city distributed 15,500 sandbags to residents — a record. Many here took school buses out of town on Wednesday, inland, to Greenville. Many others drove out on packed highways away from the coast. — RICHARD FAUSSETSo what to do? Before closing its offices this week, the city distributed 15,500 sandbags to residents — a record. Many here took school buses out of town on Wednesday, inland, to Greenville. Many others drove out on packed highways away from the coast. — RICHARD FAUSSET
Some in the Charleston area are staying no matter what. Brian Hendrickson lives in nearby Goose Creek. On Thursday morning, he was determined to carry out his regular morning routine. Denied access to the highways, he took back roads to his gym and worked out alone. Then drove to The Vendue, a luxury hotel on the peninsula, and clocked in at his maintenance job. Some in the Charleston area are staying no matter what. Brett Hendrickson lives in nearby Goose Creek. On Thursday morning, he was determined to carry out his regular morning routine. Denied access to the highways, he took back roads to his gym and worked out alone. Then drove to The Vendue, a luxury hotel on the peninsula, and clocked in at his maintenance job.
“I’ve got a wedding coming up in November, and I’ve got to make money,” said Mr. Hendrickson, 29. “If I evacuated, it would be costing me money.”“I’ve got a wedding coming up in November, and I’ve got to make money,” said Mr. Hendrickson, 29. “If I evacuated, it would be costing me money.”
When asked about the dangers he might face by remaining in town, he shrugged. “If it’s my time, it’s my time,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSETWhen asked about the dangers he might face by remaining in town, he shrugged. “If it’s my time, it’s my time,” he said. — RICHARD FAUSSET
In North Carolina, which was once poised to be a major target of the storm, worries eased.
“The model still looks good for North Carolina, especially in comparison to what you’re seeing in South Carolina, Georgia and especially Florida,” said Gov. Pat McCrory, who on Monday declared emergencies for 66 counties.
No evacuation orders were in place in North Carolina on Thursday, but the National Hurricane Center kept part of the state’s southeast at the edge of its so-called forecast cone. — ALAN BLINDER
Two days after Hurricane Matthew tore across Haiti’s southwestern peninsula, the storm battered the Bahamas.
Reports from the Haitian government said that 23 people there had been killed. — AZAM AHMED
John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, is answering reader questions about the storm. He rode out his first hurricane, Carla, in his hometown, Galveston, Tex., at age 4. He has covered the aftermath of Katrina, as well as other storms for The Times.John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, is answering reader questions about the storm. He rode out his first hurricane, Carla, in his hometown, Galveston, Tex., at age 4. He has covered the aftermath of Katrina, as well as other storms for The Times.
Ask your hurricane questions here.Ask your hurricane questions here.
Could the storm restrengthen over the Atlantic and head northeast to become a threat to New England? Thank you. — MatthewCould the storm restrengthen over the Atlantic and head northeast to become a threat to New England? Thank you. — Matthew
Of course, anything can happen with a storm: It’s possible that Matthew is going to loop around for a second shot at Florida and the Atlantic coast, and as long as it’s over relatively warm water, it can hold its strength or even grow in power. Some of the storm track models show it heading out east into the Atlantic without getting all that close to New England. But don’t forget: Predictions and models can be wrong, because the underlying conditions are always changing.Of course, anything can happen with a storm: It’s possible that Matthew is going to loop around for a second shot at Florida and the Atlantic coast, and as long as it’s over relatively warm water, it can hold its strength or even grow in power. Some of the storm track models show it heading out east into the Atlantic without getting all that close to New England. But don’t forget: Predictions and models can be wrong, because the underlying conditions are always changing.
How will the storm affect travel Thursday from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City? — GenevieveHow will the storm affect travel Thursday from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City? — Genevieve
The weather between the two cities should be unaffected, since the storm is not expected to go ashore in Florida until Thursday evening. But flights could well be disrupted from Florida airports, and that can have ripple effects throughout the system. It’s wise to check for flight delays, whether at the Federal Aviation Administration site, or with your airline.The weather between the two cities should be unaffected, since the storm is not expected to go ashore in Florida until Thursday evening. But flights could well be disrupted from Florida airports, and that can have ripple effects throughout the system. It’s wise to check for flight delays, whether at the Federal Aviation Administration site, or with your airline.
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